Surah Ash-Shams — Verse 3

Word Meanings:

• An-Nahar (النَّهَارِ): The daytime, the period of light after sunrise.
• Jallāhā (جَلَّاهَا): It means "made it appear" or "unveiled it." The pronoun "hā" (it) refers to the earth, or more precisely, to the darkness that covers the earth. The verb "jallā" means to remove, uncover, or make something clearly visible.

Tafsir (Explanation):

In this verse, Allah Almighty swears an oath by the day when it unveils and reveals the earth. When the sun rises and the day spreads its light, it removes the veil of darkness that had covered the face of the earth during the night. The day brings clarity, visibility, and life to the world — everything that was hidden in the gloom becomes manifest and clear.

The pronoun in "jallāhā" refers back to the earth (or the darkness upon it), which is well understood from context. The day, with its radiant light, exposes the earth's surface — its mountains, valleys, seas, and all that lies upon it — making everything distinct and visible after the obscurity of night.

This divine oath draws our attention to the magnificent alternation of night and day, a sign of Allah's perfect power and wisdom. The day is not merely a period of time; it is a mercy from Allah that allows human beings to work, seek provision, and navigate their lives with clarity. Just as the day unveils the physical world, so too does the Qur'an unveil the truth and guide humanity from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge and faith.

Da'wah Reflection:

Beloved reader, reflect on this beautiful oath: Allah swears by the day and its revealing light. Just as the day removes the darkness from the earth, the light of faith removes the darkness of doubt and sin from the heart. When you let the light of the Qur'an and Sunnah enter your heart, it will unveil the truth for you, showing you the path of righteousness clearly. Make your heart like the earth that welcomes the day — open it to the light of guidance, and let it dispel every shadow of confusion and misguidance. The one who purifies their soul succeeds, and the one who leaves it in darkness is truly lost. Seek the light of Allah, and He will illuminate your way in this life and the next.